For the first time in seven years, the global banking industry has posted double-digit growth in returns and capital. European profits have bounced back, US banks are hiring, and Asia’s smaller markets are growing at the same pace as China. Whisper it, but the 2018 Top 1000 World Banks ranking suggests the industry may be on the verge of a long-awaited renaissance. Danielle Myles reports.

Western European institutions have seen a distinct improvement on their poor 2017 figures, with most top banks increasing their capitalisation. HSBC remains local leader but has ceded a place on the global ranking. Stefanie Linhardt reports.

Russian banks dominate the central and eastern Europe rankings, taking the top places for Tier 1 capital, profitability and highest mover. However others experienced bailouts and nationalisations that pushed them down or out of the list, as Stefanie Linhardt reports.

A more lax regulatory environment has given a boost to large US lenders, with the 'Big Four' of JPMorgan, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citigroup all recording impressive performances in 2017. Silvia Pavoni reports.

After two years of disappointing figures, the world’s Top 1000 banks notched up record profits in 2018 without increasing risk levels. Moreover, Asia’s share of Tier 1 capital expanded, at the expense of the Americas. Brian Caplen reports.